2008 North Meets South – “The Very Best Yet!”
By Julie Hansen
On Thursday, April 24, groups of Porsche 356s from all over the West Coast began to converge on San Luis Obispo for the annual North Meets South gathering . . . including a flight of 25 cars from the Sacramento area alone! Before long 300+ participants and 170+ cars had arrived for what was to be universally proclaimed throughout the weekend as “the very best yet” event of its kind. The carousing soon began. The Embassy Suites atrium came alive as participants reconnected with friends, chatted and laughed. Talk of the Thursday night farmer’s market in downtown SLO nudged everyone to secure rooms, grab a jacket and get ready to roll, although some people just chilled by dining at the hotel.
Friday morning Kathy Sansone’s registration team distributed packets and goodie bags. A neat blanket and handy picnic kit for second registrants replaced the usual T-shirts and hats. The tropical print program and lei lanyards reminded us of the Luau-themed banquet to come. In each bag was a surprise gift - a clever, fold-it-yourself, laser-cut metal cardholder shaped like the event logo, compliments Mark Hoag, Director of Manufacturing for Vander-Bend.
Next to the registration table was an historical photo display of the past 20+ years of North Meets South events. The display, which was created and donated by Mark and Julie Hansen, proved to be a center of attention throughout the weekend. One frequent focus seemed to be “find all the incarnations of Jim Hardie throughout the years!”
Friday’s flexible schedule provided a number of options. Guided drives to Cambria for every driving style were available. The afternoon Techno Expo sessions included “Making Your 356 Radio MP3 Capable” by Bob Cannon and Tim Derich, “Detailing Your 356” by Kim Nelson, and “So You Want to Restore a 356” by Bob and Bill King. Having just completed his first restoration, Tom Sansone shared some tips as well.
For the first time ever, women were treated to their own tech session hosted by Rachel “Red” Johnson. The “Queen of the 356 Quiz” game show attracted almost 50 ladies and our first “Queen” Denise Christensen was crowned. Everyone had a great time and Denise wore her crown with pride throughout the remainder of the weekend.
Darrell Bailey and Paul Frame did their best to do a presentation on their fantastic Carrera Pan American adventure, the poor acoustics in the atrium dining area notwithstanding. The pictures were great and the appetizers plentiful. Many will be happy to know that Darrell and Paul will have a chance to retell their story to us at an upcoming Sacramento breakfast.
Saturday at the People’s Choice Concours was warm and sunny. Elaine Cannon and her team did a great job placing cars and everyone seemed to agree that there were many more beautiful cars than usual. Choosing the best in each class was a real challenge for everyone. Incidentally, roaming the crowd was automotive journalist and photographer Stephan Szantai of the French magazine Flat 6.
Thanks to Tom Sansone for arranging the afternoon drives through the Pozo Valley and to the local beach towns. Once again it seemed there was a drive to satisfy everyone’s fancy. Even those who got lost had a good time . . .just ask event chair Jenny Derich!
The social hour pre-banquet had special tone all its own as Hawaiian shirts and leis, sun-kissed cheeks, big smiles and positive comments about the weekend filled the atrium.
Following a delicious spinach salad we dined on pulled pork, chicken, rice and asparagus. Barney Speckman’s slideshow delighted the crowd as usual. Harry Servidio and Jenny Derich presented awards and prizes. Harry, ever the clever wit, thanked Jim Braezeale for the tender pork after a couple of wild pigs got the better of Jim’s Coupe on the way down Highway 25 . . . not the first time this has happened I’m told!
Rachel Johnson’s glass vase concours awards were beautiful and very well received. The special Best In Show award went to Tom Sansone’s newly restored Continental Coupe. Donated door prizes included two gift certificates from Agustin Vidarri of Autos International, William Pringle of Classic and Speed Parts donated the refreshments for the Techno Expo and the women’s tech session, Brad Ripley of Stoddard NLA donated a car cover and bra, and Ted Blake gave a crisp, new $100 bill.
A generous gesture from Michael Lederman was the auction of a Porsche alloy equipment box, one of twelve such boxes made for the Wolf Hwenzler racing team that placed second at Daytona this year. Congratulations to Larry Markham, whose donation was matched by Michael to benefit Diane Morrill’s Porsche 356 Cancer Survivor Fund.
Jenny Derich and her all-female crew (plus Tomasina Sansone) created an awesome event! Their efforts resulted in a memorable experience that sets a very high bar for the future.
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2008 North Meets South People’s Choice Concours Winners
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Pre-A Open |
Pre-A Closed |
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George |
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Tom |
’55 Continental |
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A Open |
A Closed |
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Pete |
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Ed |
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T5-B Open |
T5-B Closed |
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Robert |
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Bob |
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T6-B Open |
T6-B Closed |
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Wayne |
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Roy |
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C Open |
C Closed |
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Bob |
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Michael |
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Unrestored |
Special Interest |
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Jerry |
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Paul Frame |
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Outlaw |
Best In Show |
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Chris |
930 Turbo powered |
Tom |
’55 Continental |
Link to additional pictures taken at the Concours by Chris Toy is here.
"Best of Show"
Leigh Rutledge with her beautiful aquamarine blue metallic '56 A Cabriolet. She received a large carved wooden 356 set on a slate base with a "Best of Show" brass inscription